The Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park “’s ” Bethel/Redding CT February 2011 NewsLetter C.I.A. Headquarters – Langley VA

The “Company’s” (C.I.A.) headquarters is located on the banks of Potomac River just a few miles upstream from . There is a bronze statue, out in front of the entrance, of the first American executed for spying for his country. is a national hero today, remembered for his alleged final words, “ I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. After successfully forcing Gen. Howe and his British forces out of Boston, Washington moved his army down to to fortify it against the English. Several disastrous battles taught Washington that he could not go head-to-head against the combined British forces (a professional army and navy) which was armed to the teeth. Instead, Washington had to develop strategy of hit and run operations against portions of the enemy. The biggest need of Washington was intelligence on what the Capt. Nathan Hale was spying in the A statue of a bound Hale British was doing. New York City area. Unfortunately he is located at the Main was soon captured, and sentenced to Entrance of the original Capt. Nathan Hale, a recent graduate of Yale and a school death for being a spy, by British general CIA Headquarters bldg, in Howe, without trial. He was hung in New Langley VA. (CIA photo) teacher, was a member of the Connecticut Continental Line. He York on September 22, 1776. was chosen by Gen. Washington to go behind the enemy lines and gather military intelligence on their operations. On hindsight, modern intelligence agents will point out that Hale had no training to be a competent spy. He had no covert systems, i.e., secret codes and channels of communications. Hale became a martyr and a national hero. He is the State Hero of the state of Connecticut today. A better intelligence system had to be created.

Major , Appointed Spy Chief Benjamin Tallmadge, a major in CT’s 2nd , Sheldon’s Horse ( which has visited Putnam Park many times over the years). Washington appointed Tallmadge to head up the American spy network. Tallmadge had extensive acquaintances in and around New York City and . Tallmadge created the most successful spy network of the entire war. The intelligence network was called the , which observed British troop numbers and movements, fortifications, and supplies in and around New York City, and reported back to Washington. While many intelligence gathering systems were directly handled by Washington, the only person who knew the identities of all the agents in the Culper Ring … was Tallmadge himself. The intelligence gathering used many high-tech codes and encryption devices; even invisible ink mixtures and reagents.. The biggest danger of sending information was the chance that a military post rider would be intercepted – and then information would go to the enemy. In some cases this could mean casualties and or death to troops. The Culper

Washington’s Spy Chief, Major Ring evolved into set routes of messaging and delivery protocols. Benjamin Tallmadge of the CT Agents had their own code name and/or number assigned to them. Most 2nd Dragoons. agents did not know the identities of those they worked with. The Culper Spy Ring The intelligence service started in earnest after the in NJ. Gen. Henry. Clinton had brought his British army back from , to New York City. Washington was hard pressed for intelligence on the British operations (what were they doing? Where were they going? How many troops did they have? How many ships, etc. etc.).

Major Tallmadge was handpicked to lead the intelligence operations. Priority was put on NY City. The top secret Culper Ring was started. Plain Americans who either stayed in the city, or had access to it were recruited. All agents were assigned code names or numbers. One agent was assigned the responsibility of assembling the message(s) from the city each week. That man would pass on the message to the rider who would ride 55 miles out on Long Island’s north shore to the small village of Setauket (attempting to deliver messages through Westchester county or New Jersey was too dangerous and invited being intercepted.. Agent Wm. Brewster from Fairfield, CT would cross the sound by whale boat to Setauket. To keep the landing places secret, he used one of a half dozen different coves. Nancy Strong, as she was known by friends and neighbors, hung laundry on the clothesline in a code formation to direct the rider to the correct location. A black petticoat was the signal that Brewster was nearby, and the number of handkerchiefs scattered among the other garments on the line showed the meeting place.

The rider left NY City and rode 55 miles out to Setauket Setauket housewife and agent Nancy Long Island. Strong would arrange her clothes on the clothesline in code for the boat location.

Caleb Brewster would bring his whaleboat across the sound to This dangerous intelligence scheme operated for more than four years. Much Setauket once a week to pick up messages. A dangerous job to avoid critical information about British plans were brought to Washington through this the British patrol boats in . It was a 12 mile trip covert ring. Capture of any of the players would have meant certain death. each way. The codes and ciphers were many. Alphabets, numbers, and the combinations of both were used. And let us not forget that the enemy were using their own sets of secret communications. An important ploy was to send out false information to the enemy. This was effective when Washington found out the British fleet was headed to waters to attack the French fleet. By leaking information that the Americans were going to attack NY City … the British cancelled their naval plans and remained in New York City harbor.

The codes, ciphers, invisible inks were mind boggling. All this in a day when there was no electronics, computers, our high tech weapons systems. But both sides knew it was critical to their strategy in winning the war. Spies, when captured, faced almost certain death. American code books actually used in the Culper Operation. Some of the agents are in the middle column on the right. Spies, Double Agents and Traitors

One of the most well known spy cases happened in 1779. Major John Andre, was the young British officer in charge of Gen. Henry Clinton’s intelligence service. He was kind of Benjamin Tallmadge’s counterpart in the spy agencies. One of Washington’s favorite officers (even today, polls of military historians often choose this man in the top two or three American officers), Gen. turned his colors and offered to sell out the plans of West Point to the British, for money and rank in the British army. The British officer handling the extraordinary offer was Maj. John Andre. Andre met with Arnold and was given the maps and plans. Andre was on his way back to New York. On the advice of Arnold, Andre left his uniform behind and changed into civilian clothes. Andre was stopped, semi-strip searched and found to be carrying the West Point plans. Andre was, after a series of miscues by American officers … given over to Maj. Tallmadge. Arnold escaped by boat to NYC.

Andre was court-martialed at Tappan NY and found guilty of spying, and being dressed in civilian clothing. The British pled leniency for Andre – to no avail. Andre was hanged in Tappan. Maj. Tallmadge accompanied Andre for the entire affair right up to execution. Arnold, changed into a British general officer’s uniform and spent the next year or more fighting Americans.

THE CULPER RING KNEW ABOUT THE THE CULPER RING NEGOTIATIONS KNEW ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS

Benedict Arnold turns colors Maj. John Andre was captured by American and goes over to the British. Andre hangs on the sympathizers, and found to be carrying gallows at Tappan, NY Today his name is secret documents, synonymous with TRAITOR !

Did The Culper Ring come to Redding?

Saturday April 26th, 1777, an expedition led by British Christ Church (Church of England), was Site of Squire Wm. Heron’s home (first home ex-Governor Wm. Tryon arrived in Redding Ridge at led by a Tory minister, John Beach. south of church cemetery.) Heron invited the 11:30am. The troops stopped here for a lunch break. three senior British officers to his home for lunch. This act put a red flag on Mr. Heron. Gen. Putnam’s Three Brigade Locations HERON IS A Was he a Tory? A spy? Redding Ct – 1778-79 DOUBLE-AGENT Brig.Gen. Col. Moses Hazen PARSONS AND PUTNAM Jedediah Huntington NH and Canadian 2nd CT Brigade Regts. ARE IN THE CULPER RING

WAS THIS PLANNED?

Brig,Gen. Samuel Parsons 1st CT Brigade Betts Tavern

Church

Wm. Heron Lt. Stephen Betts home and tavern. Brig. Gen. Redding Ridge Samuel Parsons and his family lived here from 1778/79 winter camp. Wife/family stayed thru 1781 To contact us: Culper Ring was a deadly operation [email protected] … not a game.

Much of the information about the various spy operations is still coming in today. As historians find diaries, letters, and correspondence, new details are gleaned. Some of the members of the Culper Ring have only been recently identified. Because the operations are at least two-sided, there is also confirmation or further questionable data on issues. Sir Henry Clinton’s papers entitled Secret Service Record of Private Daily Intelligence surfaced in 1882. These papers revealed the truth about William Heron’s role in the Revolutionary War. He was a double-agent. Even if actual names are not included, actions were confirmed as happening the way American agents claimed. There are still missing names of agents. This is a testament to the secrecy of the American spy masters running the various operations.

We now know that , who ran the frequent trips to Setauket Long Island to bring back messages from New York City, was instructed to get the messages to either Gen. Parsons or Gen. Putnam in Redding. They would then send on the messages to Maj. Tallmadge, via military riders, who was usually in the upper Westchester area (Bedford or Salem NY). Tallmadge would in turn send them onto Washington. Sometimes, Tallmadge would personally go to Fairfield to meet Brewster. This confirmed the fact that both Parsons and Putnam were part of the Culper Ring..

Wm. Heron was a puzzlement even during the war. He openly entertained the British officers during Tryon’s raid on Danbury; however, he also entertained the three American officers who were hot on the trail of the British, the following day. Parsons vouched for Heron. CT Governor Jonathon Trumbull gave passes to Heron to permit his travel to NY City. Heron served in the CT General Assembly for four years during the war. He served in town posts for years. He was the first grand master of the Redding Masonic Lodge. Parsons and his family lived across the road from Heron in Redding Ridge. Was this done on purpose to facilitate communications between two men? There are still many questions unanswered after more than 225 years.

Alexander Rose’s Washington’s Spies offers fascinating new research on how Washington organized an intelligence-gathering network that helped turn the in his side’s favor. - Chicago Times The most important American spy operation of the Revolution.

Fraunce’s Tavern – NY City “The Father of Our Country” Thursday, Dec. 4, 1783. th The Gallop poll of February 18 , 2011 ranked the most Washington, accompanied by three of his officers, climbed the important presidents in order. stairs to the second floor room where all of his subordinate officers had gathered. Still standing, Washington started his 1. Ronald Reagan toast. “ With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave 2. Abraham Lincoln of you,.” said their commander, briefly but emotionally. “ I most 3. Bill Clinton devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and 4. John Kennedy happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable”. 5. 6. Franklin Roosevelt Then, one by one, each officer came forth and shook hands 7. ………. with their leader of eight years. A witness relates that “ Such a Here’s a man that served in the French & Indian War, 8 years of running the Revolutionary War, and then 8 years scene of sorrow and weeping I had never witnessed and fondly as first president of the ….. And today he hope I may never be called to witness again.” ranks # 5th ? U.S. History is rapidly dying on the vine. The next FAN’s Meeting will be on Monday, March 7th , 2011 at 7:00PM at the Visitor Center at Putnam Park. Go to our Fans web site at www.putnampark.org